Compressor housing having replaceable inlet throat and method for manufacturing compressor housing
AssigneeCummins Atlantic, Inc.
InventorsDewey L. Willyard, Jr., David E. Cline, David E. Wulfhorst
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compressor housing (30) is disclosed of the type characterized by having a centrally-disposed, concentric, flow restricting inlet throat in fluid communication with an encircling fluid conduit having a tangentially disposed outlet. Compressor housing (30) includes a separately formed inlet throat insert (45) for being positioned in a bore (29) in compressor housing (30). Insert (45) can be removed if damaged, or if a change in inlet throat size is desired.
Claims10
In a die cast compressor housing of the type characterized by having a centrally-disposed, concentric, flow restricting inlet throat in fluid communication with an encircling, annular fluid conduit having a tangentially disposed outlet, the improvement which comprises:
- (a) said compressor housing having a centrally-disposed through bore in fluid communication with said fluid conduit;
- and
- (b) a separately formed replaceable inlet throat insert for being removably positioned in the bore, in substantial axially-extending radial alignment with said fluid conduit of said compressor housing and secured to the fluid conduit for providing a compressor housing having a replaceable inlet throat which can be removed if damaged, or if a change in inlet throat size is desired, and replaced, a surface of said inlet throat defining a curved wall portion positioned in relation to a curved wall surface of said fluid conduit to provide a continuous curved airflow surface in closely spaced-apart relation to an annular compressor wheel having a plurality of air-deflecting blades thereon.
A method of manufacturing a die cast compressor housing, comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming in said die cast compressor housing a ring-shaped fluid conduit having a centrally disposed bore in fluid communication therewith and an outlet therein;
- (b) forming a separate replaceable inlet throat adapted to be removably positioned within said bore in substantial axially-extending radial alignment with said fluid conduit and secured to said fluid conduit in fluid communication therewith;
- and
- (c) positioning said inlet throat in the bore and securing said inlet throat to said fluid conduit, a surface of said inlet throat defining a curved wall portion positioned in relation to a curved wall surface of said fluid conduit to provide a continuous curved airflow surface in closely spaced-apart relation to an annular compressor wheel having a plurality of air-deflecting blades thereon.
A method of manufacturing a die cast compressor housing, comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming in said die cast compressor housing a ring-shaped fluid conduit having a centrally-disposed bore in fluid communication therewith and an outlet therein;
- (b) forming a separate replaceable inlet throat adapted to be removably positioned within said bore and secured to said fluid conduit in communication therewith, the circumference of said inlet throat being oversized relative to the circumference of the portion of said fluid conduit defining the bore, the degree of oversizing being predetermined to permit said fluid conduit to be heated to expand the circumference of the bore to permit insertion of said inlet throat in the bore to form an interference fit between the inlet throat and said fluid conduit when the fluid conduit has cooled;
- (c) heating said fluid conduit to expand the circumference of the bore;
- (d) positioning said inlet throat in the bore and securing said inlet throat to said fluid conduit while said fluid conduit is heated;
- and
- (e) allowing the fluid conduit to cool to form an interference fit between the inlet throat and said fluid conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.